Analysing a Film Opening

Swordfish Film Opening:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmtSLpNriTM

Genre of the text and conventions of genre: The genre of this text is Action/Thriller, and some conventions of this genre are, high action set pieces, such as explosions or car chases. An exciting and fast paced story line, and also a lone hero.

Key codes and the connotations they create: The first few minutes to the opening scene, where John Travolta is seen talking towards the camera, there is a threatening/mysterious music played throughout the background, this is seen as a techincal code. The connotation for this, is to show his chracters true personality and identity from the start, by showing a small secion of his dark views accompanied by such music, which makes the mood of the scene quite sinister. Another code would be the fact that the police and federal agents are aiming their weapons at John Travolta, which would create the connotaion that in normal day life you would associate this with the being the villain in the situation, and, shown to be in wrong. This is a symbolic code.

Key Signifiers: One key signifier within the opening is that John Travolta is seen smoking a cuban cigar, which, shown more in recent films, is a sign of villainous behaviour, or normally assoctiated with evil because of the conections with death. This in return could be linked to his charcter role within the film, and also reveals minor hints towards his personality.  Another is when he says the line "Life is stranger than fiction sometimes." In my opinion, this shows that his views on life and the world are slightly obscure, and somewhat fictional. As he believes that his abnormal, yet also laid back views on a rather serious situation are politically correct. By this I mean, that as he believes, that villains should triumph within the world and also how he doesn't appear to value others lives, shows that he is slightly vicious and corrupt.  

What does the sequence tell us and the expectations: The sequence tells us that the content of the movie will consist of many complex situations and plotline, along with alot of action set pieces and violence.

My expectations after watching the opening scene, would be that the film has alot of action packed scenes, along with violence, explosions, and alot of twists and turns within the storyline.

The audiences being targeted: I believe that the audiences being targeted are young adults and any age above. This is because of the complex language used throughout and the intricate storyline, which could prove difficult for younger viewers to follow. Also, the high use of violence and bloody exposures, would be very inappropriate for young viewers.

Websites:
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivSeJ5_y3VUDB5Wdj4mPsaqzqbHcaH65Zdc3cAZwIaAbHDxFvVSNmJIiM8kRShC40T_AiDi4yD9wSN672L4AMlXGml-vD5I96ERZ9fqvtK0l2P4m9SamdDPYwi-pTAyzemwboUfVxiDTQ/s1600/explosion.jpg
www.imdb.com/title/tt0244244/
http://www.allrovi.com/movies/movie/swordfish-v244329